CO2 Saving Calculator for ICT Solutions - Netherlands

This activity developed an online carbon footprint calculator. The tool, which is free and publicly available on the Internet, shows how much carbon a person could save by changing their work habits, empowering them to reduce their carbon footprint. This project combined several data sources on structural change options that reduce organisations’ overall greenhouse gas emissions – for example by telecommuting instead of driving to work.

Fast facts:

Customers in the Netherlands saved 87,100 tons of carbon dioxide in 2013 by using the seven information and communication products available on the CO2 saving calculator;
After implementing the tool, the company that developed it – KPN – saw a 36% reduction in office energy use, and a 21% reduction in car fuel use in 2013 compared to 2010;
Using the tool, project partner World Wide Fund for Nature calculated that if 684,000 employees in the Netherlands worked from home one or two days a week, this could result in 1.3 to 1.7 megatonnes of emissions avoided;

The problem

Information and communication technology is responsible for 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but could contribute to a more than 16% reduction in other sectors. But in order for this to happen, the carbon footprint of individuals and organizations needs to be measured.

The solution

The Kpnbespaarmeter calculates the expected carbon dioxide use and cost savings for changes of behavior through the use of workspace, video-conferencing, and teleconferencing products and services offered by KPN, the calculator’s developer. The calculator uses data from publicly available studies, adds additional energy estimated to be used at home, and compares the results with the emissions that would be saved if KPN products were used. To make the greenhouse gas emissions savings concept less abstract, the results are converted into equivalent savings of time and money. By illustrating the effects of specific behavior on time, money, and carbon footprint reduction, the tool allows users to choose their solutions.

Helping the planet

By focusing on time and money savings, this tool incentivizes changes in daily life. The products and services used in the savings calculator enable a structural change in behavior, and therefore structural reductions in energy use. Reducing energy consumption prevents the burning of fossil fuels reducing climate change impacts.

Helping people

The savings calculator can save people time and travel costs, and increase productivity. By making the effects of specific behavior changes measurable, users can choose the solutions that work best for them, allowing flexibility and customization for the individual user.

Scaling up

The tool has been presented at congresses and seminars, and promoted to KPN’s customers by the company’s sales force – a tactic which has the spinoff benefit of fostering awareness about climate change. Beneficiaries of the free online savings calculator are limitless, and it can be accessed by any organization. In addition, other ICT providers have shown an interest in translating the tool for use in their countries.